Olmsted County Graham Park Rules and Regulations

Chapter 3950

Updated August 6, 2024

3951.  Application.  

The following rules and regulations shall apply to Graham Park. These Graham Park Rules and Regulations have been specifically approved by the Olmsted County Fair Board to apply during the County Fair. In addition, in the event person or organization has rented a building at Graham Park in connection with an event, to the extent the requirements of the Facility Use Agreement may conflict with these Rules and Regulations, the requirements of the Facility Use Agreement shall supersede these Rules and Regulations inside the rented building for the duration of the event. In addition, in the event a person or organization has rented Graham Park in its entirety including both the buildings and outdoor common areas pursuant to an agreement with the City or the County, to the extent the requirements of the Rental Agreement may conflict with these Rules and Regulations, the requirements of the Rental Agreement shall supersede these Rules and Regulations within Graham Park for the duration of the event. 

3952.  Penalties.  

Any person who willfully violates any these rules and regulations during the Olmsted County Fair is guilty of a misdemeanor criminal offense pursuant to Section 38.01 of the Minnesota Statutes. Offenses are punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or a jail term of not more than 90 days upon prosecution for that offense. A violation of these rules and regulations may also be grounds for being barred from Graham Park property for a period of time at the discretion of Facilities and Building Operations Staff to the extent needed to insure public health and safety. 

3953.  Disorderly Conduct.  

No person shall engage disorderly conduct as set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 609.72. This includes: 
 
A. engaging in brawling or fighting; 
 
B. disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting, not unlawful in its character; 
 
C. engaging in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, or noisy conduct or language tending reasonably to arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others; 
 
D. refusing to comply with Graham Park rules and regulations as directed by Facilities and Building Operations Staff in a manner which threatens to provoke a breach of the peace. 

3954.  Excessive Noise.  

No person shall use amplified speakers and public address systems without advance permission of the Director of Facilities and Building Operations or his/her designee. Making noise which is loud enough to disturb others in the vicinity is prohibited. Violating posted quiet hours in Graham Park after 10:30 p.m. and prior to 7:00 a.m. daily is prohibited. 

3955.  Vandalism.  

No person shall destroy alter, injure or remove any real or personal property, improvements to real property, vegetation, or harass wildlife brought to Graham Park for exhibition purposes. 

3956.  Sanitation.  

No person shall fail to separate and dispose of garbage and recyclables by placing these materials in the containers provided. Disposal of solid waste within Graham Park which was generated outside of Graham Park is prohibited. For persons authorized to camp in the campground, RV wastewater must be collected in an enclosed tank and disposed of at the designated dump station. Wastewater disposal onto the ground is prohibited. 

3957.  Fires.   

No person shall have a campfire except in portable campfire pits in designated areas and only if approved by Facilities and Building Operations Staff. 

3958.  Licensed Motorized Vehicles.

No person shall operate licensed motor vehicles except on improved roads and in designated parking areas in Graham Park, except as needed by Facilities and Building Operations Staff in connection with maintenance activities. Temporary exceptions to this requirement may be permitted with the advance permission of Facilities and Building Operations Staff as needed in order to provide access for disabled visitors to specific areas of Graham Park not served by improved roads. No person shall operate a licensed motor vehicle at greater than the posted speed limit on public right of ways within Graham Park or in a manner which places the public in the surrounding area at significant risk of harm. 

3959.  Motorized Recreational Vehicles.  

No person shall operate motorized recreational vehicles in Graham Park including, but not limited to trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, etc. No person shall operate golf carts or mopeds in Graham Park. Temporary exceptions to this requirement may be permitted with the advance permission of Facilities and Building Operations Staff as needed in order to provide access for disabled visitors to specific areas of Graham Park not served by improved roads. While use of bicycles and in-line skates is permitted on improved roads in Graham Park, no person shall use them in any playgrounds or playscapes. 

3960.  Domestic Pets.  

A. Pet Control. No person shall bring domestic pets to Graham Park unless they are confined on a leash not exceeding 6 feet long. 
Exceptions:  
  1. However, service animals on a leash are permitted with their owners in all areas of Graham Park so long as they are not causing a disturbance to persons or other animals in the vicinity.  
   2.  In addition, this restriction shall not apply during permitted events inside enclosed structures such as dog shows.  
   3.  In addition, no person shall bring domestic pets to Graham Park at any time during the Olmsted County Fair even if confined           to a leash not exceeding 6 feet long. 
 
B. Pets Running at Large. No person shall permit a domestic pet to run at large in Graham Park. Domestic pets found running at large must be removed from Graham Park upon a request by Facilities and Building Operations Staff.  
 
C. Clean Up of Pet Feces. No person shall fail to clean up after their domestic pet and properly dispose of any feces deposited in Graham Park.   
 
D.  Dangerous Dogs. No person shall possess or control a dangerous dog at Graham Park. A "dangerous dog" means any dog that has: 
    1.  when unprovoked, inflicted bites on a person, domestic animal, or captive wild animal; or 
    2.  when unprovoked, chased or approached a person, domestic animal, or captive wild animal in an apparent attitude of attack          or 
    3. has a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of             persons, domestic animals, or captive wild animals.  
    4.  If a dog is determined to be "dangerous" by Facilities and Building Operation Staff or by another government entity, the dog            must be immediately removed from Graham Park by the owner or person in possession or control of the dog, and the dog              will be permanently barred from returning to Graham Park. This includes any dogs that are designated service animals. 
 
E.  Barking Dogs. No person shall possess or control a dog in Graham Park which barks, whines, howls, bays, cries or makes other noise excessively so as to cause annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to any individual provided that such noise lasts for a period of more than five minutes continuously or intermittent barking that continues for more than one hour and is plainly audible outside the campsite, motor vehicle or other area where the dog is kept. It shall not be a violation of this section if the dog was barking, crying or making other noise due to harassment or injury to the dog or a trespass upon Graham Park premises where the dog is located such as a campsite or motor vehicle. Any dogs found to be in violation of this requirement must be removed from Graham Park by the owner or person in possession and control of the dog upon request by Facilities and Building Operation Staff. 

3961.  Park Hours.    

With the exception of the streets that run through Graham Park, no person other than County Facilities and Building Operations staff or law enforcement shall be present in Graham Park from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily without the permission of Facilities and Building Operations staff. 

3962.  Firearms and Weapons.    

A.  No person shall possess or use firearms, explosives, slingshots, bows and arrows, and other weapons in Graham Park, except as needed by Facilities and Building Operations Staff for necessary animal control measures or in emergency situations. 
Exceptions:  
   1.  Gun Shows. However, firearms are permitted in Graham Park in connection with specific events where a person or an 
        organization has leased space from the City or County for a set duration such as a gun show.     
   2.  Permits to Carry. In addition, persons who possess a valid permit to carry a firearm are also authorized to carry a firearm                while at Graham Park consistent with the requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 624.714. No permit to carry              holder shall fail to carry their permit with them or fail to properly carry or secure their firearm at all times in Graham Park.   

3963.  Use of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Devices and Prohibitions on Use, Sale, and Display Cannabis Products.  

A.  No person shall use tobacco products or electronic delivery devices inside Graham Park buildings as required by the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. Use of tobacco and e-cigarette type products is only permitted in designated areas when persons under the age of twenty-one (21) are not present pursuant to the County’s Tobacco Free Grounds Policy. “Electronic delivery device” shall mean any product containing or delivering nicotine, lobelia or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking in the delivery of nicotine or any other substance through inhalation of vapor from the product, an activity commonly referred to as “vaping." 

B.  No person shall use Cannabis Flower, Cannabis Products, or Hemp Derived Consumer Products which are smoked or vaped in any areas within Graham Park. “Cannabis Flower”, “Cannabis Products”, and “Hemp Derived Consumer Products” are defined in Sections 2152.03, 2152.04 and 2152.05 of the County’s Code of Ordinances Regulating the Use of Cannabis and Cannabis Derived Products in Public Places.   

C.  No person shall sell or display cannabis products in any areas on the Graham Park property. This includes, but is not limited to, empty cannabis product containers which do not actually contain any cannabis, products intended for sale by cannabis product vendors which contain cannabis related messages, and other products such as candles, soaps etc. which may contain cannabis derivatives, but are not intended for human consumption. Cannabis related symbols and messages displayed on clothing or other personal items belonging to Graham Park visitors not intended for resale are not prohibited.  

D.  A violation of this section of the Graham Parks Rules and Regulations shall be a petty misdemeanor offense.   

3964.  Fireworks.   

No person shall use fireworks in Graham Park except in connection with an event where a person or an organization has leased space from the City or the County and only following issuance of a valid fireworks display permit from the Rochester Fire Department. 

3965.  Private Business Operations and Solicitations.  

No person, business or organization shall operate a private business, post or distribute advertising materials or solicit private business at Graham Park except from paid exhibitor/vendor space leased from the City or County without the express written consent of the Director Facilities and Building Operation or his/her designee. Any violation of this rule will result in being asked to vacate leased space at Graham Park without a refund of the rental fee. 

3966.  Alcoholic Beverages.  

No person aged 21 years or older shall possess or consume of alcoholic beverages outside of those areas designated by the Director Facilities and Building Operations or his/her designee. No person aged 20 years and younger shall possess or consume alcoholic beverages in any areas within Graham Park. 

3967.  Controlled Substances.  

No person shall possess or use illegal controlled substances as defined in Chapter 152 of the Minnesota Statutes and which are not prescribed by a physician for use by the possessor in any areas within Graham Park. 

3968.  Drones.    

No person shall use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) within Graham Park or in the airspace above Graham Park unless pre-approved by Facilities and Building Operations Staff, or in connection with park operations or maintenance activities, or by law enforcement as authorized by law. 

3969.  Protests/Demonstrations.  

No person shall participate in a protest/demonstration at Graham Park outside of the location designated by the Director of Facilities and Building Operations. The designated location is south of the 14th St. West entrance to Graham Park between Broadway Ave. and the stone wall. No person shall obstruct the entrances or exits to Graham Park or of the public right of ways within and adjacent to Graham Park in connection with any protest/demonstration. These Rules and Regulations shall take effect August 10, 2024. 
 
Dated this 6th day of August 2024. ATTEST: /s/ Lisa Morris-Helmstetler Lisa Morris-Helmstetler, Deputy Clerk of the County Board Approved May 3, 2022; Revised August 6, 2024, OLMSTED COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS /s/ Sheila Kiscaden Sheila Kiscaden, Chair County Board of Commissioners END OF CHAPTER 3950